[truck-safety]

The agency that oversees the safety of trucks and buses in this country is expected to be criticized today in a Congressional report.
The report is expected to call for more money, people and supervision at the Office of Motor carriers.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[4:17:07]
It comes one day after the Clinton adminstration unveiled a plan to make the nation's highways safer.
More than 100 people die every week in crashes involving trucks and buses.
Transporation secretary Rodney Slater says the goal is to cut that number in half.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(("THE GOAL OF A 50 PERCENT REDUCTION IS ACHIEVABLE IF WE PUT OUR MINDS TO IT AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING JUST THAT."))
[SUPER=01-Rodney Slater/Secretary of Tranpsortation;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=TO DOING JUST THAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The plan includes doubling yearly inspections from 24 to 48.
Increasing penalties up to 10-thousand dollars for safety violations.
And new Technology to monitor the hours truck drivers spend behind the wheel.
(------------)

[Druckenmiller]

A pre-trial hearing in the rape case against Jim Druckenmiller is scheduled to get underway in about an hour.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/April 28]

A recent Virginia Tech graduate says the former Tech quarterback raped her March fourth at a house in Blacksburg, where the two attended a party.
Druckenmiller's attorneys say he had consensual sex with the woman after SHE aggressively pursued him.
Druckenmiller is a backup quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers.
He will stand trial July 19th and could face a prison sentence of five years to life.
(------------)

[Strawberry]

New York Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry pleaded no contest to drug and prostitution charges this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tampa, FL;]

Strawberry was in court in Tampa, Florida -- where he was sentenced to 18 months of probation.
He'll also have to undergo drug testing, and do 100 hours of community service.
Strawberry was arrested in April after allegedly soliciting an undercover officer.
Police found three-tenths of a gram of powder cocaine inside his wallet.
(------------)

[India]

There's word of intense fighting along India's disputed border with Pakistan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kashmir, India;]
[10:11:20]
Pakistani officials say Indian aircraft today bombed Pakistani territory in the Kashmir province.
An army spokesman calls it a ''very grave escalation.'' And he says his armed forces reserve the
right to respond.
It marks the most serious escalation of fighting in the region since India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons last year.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

Military leaders from India and Pakistan are planning to meet in an effort to defuse tensions.

[china]

Lawmakers today are hearing more details about Chinese espionage.
Committees in both the House and Senate are listening to testimony from the chairman and ranking Democrat on the panel that wrote the report outlining two decades of Chinese spying.
The report arrived on Capitol Hill
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]
[4:09:58]
yesterday, 700 pages detailing a host of un-kept secrets that have propelled China into the modern nuclear age.
The report concludes China not only stole advanced weapons designs for every modern nuclear warhead in the U-S arsenal, but the computer codes to test them - giving China the ability to copy some of the most deadly U-S missiles within a few years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(("IT IS SERIOUS NO DOUBT, ONE OF THE WORST COUNTER INTELLIGENCE FAILURE IN THE NATION'S HISTORY."))
[SUPER=01-Rep. Norm Dicks/(D) Washington;;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=in the nation's history.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

President Clinton says he will now put in place more than two dozen recommendations to protect Ameria's nuclear secrets.
But he says his administration will continue to build a relationship with China.
(------------)
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Hundreds of new jobs are headed to Pittsylvania County-- thanks to the Internet.
That's just one of the stories still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And Britain is up in arms over the latest Royal tabloid scandal.
That's up next after the commerical break.
First let's talk to Patrick Evans.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[music up full]
[comm1]

[Sophie-scandal]

The British tabloids are at it again.
Buckingham Palace is condeming the publication of a topless picture of Sophie Rhys-Jones, the future bride of Prince Edward.
Tom Fenton reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[10:03:02]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ingrid Seward/Majesty Magazine; :20]
[SUPER=02-Chris Tarrant/Disc Jockey; :33]
[SUPER=01-Tom Fenton/Reporting; :46]
[RUNS=:58]
[OUT Q=cbs news London.]
(((SCRIPT)
(Sun newspaper page with topless picture and headlines)
The 10-year-old snapshot shows Sophie Rhys-Jones with her bikini top being pulled down by a disk jockey.
(File of Sophie and Edward at engagement photo-op)
Not exactly the sort of thing Sophie and Prince Edward wanted to see publicized after they primly announced their royal engagement in January.
But royal watchers say it's all part of the British love-hate relationship with their royal family.
SOT -- INGRID SEWARD/EDITOR/MAJESTY MAGAZINE
BUT PEOPLE SAY ISN'T IT AWFUL, AN APPALLING THING TO DO TO A GIRL THREE WEEKS BEFORE HER MARRIAGE, BUT THEY STILL GO OUT AND BUY THE NEWSPAPER.
The man in the picture, DJ Chris Tarrant, expressed his indignation this morning..
(Super: Voice of Chris Tarrant/Disc Jockey)
(Publicity photo from Capital Radio One)
SHE WAS JUST A LOT OF FUN. I REPEAT, THERE WAS NEVER EVER THE SLIGHTEST HINT OF ROMANCE BETWEEN SOPHIE AND MYSELF.
(File of Sophie walking up steps)
Sophie, who is about to become a royal princess, is in the public relations business, but is wisely saying nothing.
(Fenton O/C close)
BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS JUST ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING THE IT AN ACT OF
PREMEDITATED CRUELTY AND SAYS PUBLICATION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH WAS A GROSS
INVASION OF PRIVACY, AND NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. TF, CBSN, London.))

[E-Toys]

A company called E-Toys is spelling good news for Pittsylvania County's troubled economy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

The California-based internet toy retailer says it will bring 330 full-time and 900 holiday seasonal jobs to the area.
Along with an investment of 14-million dollars.
A warehouse in Blairs will serve as E-Toys' East Coast shipping and distribution center...and company officials say the central location was only part of their decision.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There's no question]
((GERARD ELCHAAR/eTOYS: THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE SITE FROM VIRGINIA'S STRATEGIC LOCATION, ITS HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE AND ITS DEDICATED OFFICIALS ...THESE WERE THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN OUR SELECTION PROCESS. ))
[SUPER=01-Gerard ElChaar/eToys]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=our selection process]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The distribution center is scheduled to open for business July of next year.
Hiring is expected to begin in several months.
(------------)

[E-City-Manager]

Turnout for a second public forum on Roanoke's City Manager search tripled from the first meeting.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

About fifteen attended the forum at the Jefferson Center last night.
The meetings are supposed to give citizens a chance to tell the search committee what qualities they want in a new City Manager.
Monday night's forum at the Civic Center Exhibition Hall was attended by only four people.
(------------)

[E-Sammons]

After six years on the job, Franklin County's administrator is calling it quits.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Macon Sammons is headed to Virginia Tech, where he will promote local economic growth.
He says he's already improved Smith Mountain Lake and created two industrial parks.
But sources say county supervisors have privately criticized his performance.
Sammons won't say.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:16:37]
[SOT 15:02:17]
[IN Q=How much of this]
((MACON SAMMONS/CO. ADMINISTRATOR: HOW MUCH OF THIS IS DUE TO PUBLIC PRESSURE FROM THE BOARD? I HAVE BEEN A CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN VIRGINIA LOCALITIES FOR 17 CONSECUTIVE YEARS. THAT'S A LONG TIME, A LOT OF NIGHT MEETINGS -- I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A CHANGE.
butt butt butt
DON HUTCHERSON/BUSINESS OWNER: THE GUY HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING BAD TO ME OR ANYTHING ELSE BUT WE NEED MORE DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP I THINK THAN HE WAS GIVING US.))
[SUPER=01-Macon Sammons/Franklin Co. Administrator;]
[SUPER=01-Don Hutcherson/Business Owner; :17]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=he was giving us]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=NONE]

[Hearing-SOL]

State School Board members got an earful at a public hearing last night in Roanoke.
The topic was supposed to be rewards and penalties for S-O-L performance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Instead, parents and teachers spoke of the CONSEQUENCES they're suffering because of the S-O-L tests themselves.
They spoke about TEACHERS with no time for creativity... drilling social studies students to remember names, places and dates.
ADMINISTRATORS, already faced with limited resources, voiced concerned about the prospect of further "punishment" from the state.
And PARENTS told stories of children with damaged self-esteem.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=we realize]
(( TERRI FLANAGAN/PARENT; WE REALIZE THAT OUR CHILDREN MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE TAUGHT , BUT THIS SOL THING IS GETTING OUT OF HAND. OUR CHILDREN ARE BEING PUSHED SO HARD THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY TIME TO THINK ABOUT BEING A CHILD ANY MORE. ))
[SUPER=01-Terri Flanagan/Parent; ]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=a child anymore]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Teachers say if the state intends to punish schools when students fail the tests, it should also provide the recources needed to get things right.
(------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The postal service won't be stamping out Lynchburg's Rivermont station.
That's the next story on NEws-7 at Noon.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And his name is Felon and he's not taking a bite out of crime-- he's been taking bites out of cars.
Stay with us.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[E-L'burg-Post-Office]

Some Lynchburg residents are breathing a little easier after being assured they will NOT be losing their local post office.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

About 75 residents attended a public hearing yesterday on the fate of the Rivermont Postal Station.
Postal officials want to move out of their current building and into a nearby commercial location to save money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:06:39]
[IN Q=We're paying for]
((BILL HUSTON/LYNCHBURG POSTMASTER: WE'RE PAYING FOR 44- HUNDRED SQUARE FEET, WE ONLY NEED FOUR OR FIVE HUNDRED. I'M HEATING AND COOLING AND CLEANING THAT SPACE AND WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO DO THAT. AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIND A LOCATION IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA THAT WILL SERVE THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Huston/Lynchburg Postmaster;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=serve the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Huston (HYOO-ston) says there's a chance the post office could stay where it is, if a new lease could be worked out with the building's owner.
(------------)

[Dog-car]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

His name is Felon...and he's been picked up for his second offense....chewing through tires, and attacking cars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beaverton, OR;]
[7:35:05]
And this time Felon picked the wrong car.
Two Oregon police officers were hold up in their cruiser for more than 30 minutes as the rottweiler attacked it.
Animal control officers eventually came and got him, but not before Felon flattened three tires on the patrol car.
(------------)

[S-Softball]

The Lady Highlanders moved a step closer to another region C championship yesterday.
Glenvar has won the regional softball title the past three years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Galax vs. Glenvar;]

Galax traveled to Roanoke County yesterday and the Maroon Tide was hoping to stop the Lady Highlanders in their tracks.
Galax took the early three to two lead, but in the bottom of the second this wild pitch allowed Heather Strine to make it home and cut the Tide advantage to one.
Then in the bottom of the fourth Glenvar broke it open, Kelly Shreve at bat, the infield grounder is enough to bring home another Highlander run and it's five-three Glenvar.
[super=34-Galax/3/Glenvar/14;]

Still in the fourth the Tide can't handle the hit, another Highlander crosses the plate and Glenvar wins it 14-to-three and travels to Covington for the Region C softball quarterfinals.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[S-Baseball]

Just down the hill Fort Chiswell and Glenvar were slugging it out in the Region C BASEBALL Quarterfinals.
The Pioneers down eight to nothing in the top of the six get a glimmer of hope as the sacrifice fly brings home Jonathan Harman. But that's were the rally would end.
[super=34-Fort Chiswell/1/Glenvar/8;]

Glenvar pitcher Jeremy Cromer only allowed one hit and had 11 K's in five innings.
And reliever Jarod Sword came in and gave away just one hit to help the Highlanders to the eight to one win.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=defensively]
[SUPER=01-Larry Wood/Glenvar Head Coach;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=just been outstanding]
(------------)
[anchor=pev]
[ss=high school baseball]

Glenvar travels to Independence for the Region C Semi-finals on Thursday.

[S-Avs]

Game two of the Avalanche/Hillcats three game series was last night.
Salem wins 10-4.
Until last night's contest, the Avs had been outscored 31 to 8 in their last four games.
However-- The tough stretch has not hurt attendance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

The event was once again held at Hunting Hills--all the proceeds go to "Prevent Blindness of Virginia."
Sight screening was also offered at the tournament site again this year, a service that has proved to be extremely valuable.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Last year...]
[SUPER=01-Dick Metz/Tee off for Sight Co-Chairman; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...18th year."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]

Hahn showed off a number of tricks yesterday like driving with a putter and chiping with a special banana shaped wedge.
He also showed off his politician club, which he says - has a pointed head and doesn't work.
(------------)

Dale Earnhardt Junior is trying to make his first Cup race.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC;]

And yesterday the pre-race hype surrounding this event included an annoucement by his sponsor--Budweiser.
It is distributing over 1 million cans of Bud nationwide with his car AND likeness on them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I guess...]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt Jr./Makes Cup Debut This Weekend; :00]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=...happy about that."]
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO PINNACLE BOARD 6627]
And you can hear much more from "Little E" this weekend as Mike Stevens presents another of our NASCAR 99 specials - a preview of this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. Be sure to join us Saturday night at seven right here on Your Hometown Station.
(----------------)
[talent=Patrick]
[graphic=lowes]

Mike Stevens will have live reports from Pole Night on News 7 at 5, 6 and 11 tonight.

[Super-Bowl]

San Diego will host the 2003 Super Bowl.
The only other contender was South Florida, where this year's Super Bowl was held.
San Diego replaces San Francisco, which was awarded the game but will not have a new stadium ready in time.
The city hosted two other Super Bowls in 1988
and 1998.